¦ December 11, 2009
ANOTHER COOL TRICKED OUT RIDE!
Chris Karson's Racing Van

Some time ago, we invited our website visitors to submit stories of their own "tricked out rides".  We received a great response from racer Chris Karson, as follows:

"Hello,

In response to accessible vehicle projects, I thought my vehicle may be of interest to readers.

I had the opportunity to be a part of Day at the Races a few years ago where I met both Ida Cahill and Sam Schmidt.  Meeting Sam was especially meaningful to me as we had a few things in common as well as sharing a few challenges. I also am a quadriplegic with a passion for classic cars and racing.  After becoming injured and told I could never drive again my heart sunk.  The things that identified me as a person were stripped from me, cars and racing being one of them.  As I learned to redefine myself as a person I could not, nor would not leave the auto enthusiast part out of my life.

I thought to myself if I'm going to be stuck being escorted around in a wheelchair van, its going to be the coolest van around. It was at this point I bought my first van.  While returning home from a physical therapy appointment my attention was drawn to the almost used up older van which was sitting alongside the road in a used car lot .  The old van was not pretty, but it was a gem in my eyes.

With the help of family, friends and a couple supportive companies my vision of combining  van, racing, and accessibility started coming together.   What made this vehicle accessible to me was how the passenger seat could rotate to a position that with help I could transfer out of my wheelchair and into the van.  The van went through a few different stages before it came to be as it is now. A 20 year process took what started out as a hot rod van that could be driven daily to a full blown race car. The van has been to several race tracks, car shows and events throughout the Midwest. Usually wherever the van makes an appearance the spectators are in awe of what it has become.

Within this 20 year period I actually defied what Dr's told me.  I was able to and successfully received my drivers license. This hot rod van never was set up for me to drive as I didn't know I would be driving in my future. However, now that I can drive, my next goal is to set the race van up with hand controls.

To see more of the van, photos and video, please check out the website www.karsonracing.com.